Member Spotlight - Paul Stein

Who is Paul Stein from Rock Maintenance?

Provide us a brief description of your business? How many years have you been in business?

Rock Maintenance Services was founded in 2017 by two fleet management professionals searching for a maintenance provider that could meet their unique needs. Since then, we have been providing mission-critical support to commercial fleets in the utility, skilled trades, delivery, logistics, and transportation industries.  

The services we provide range from routine maintenance and inspection to a major repair, and everything in between, for all makes and models of trucks, vans, trailers, and auxiliary equipment from light to heavy-duty. Rock Maintenance has the tools and experience to handle the needs of any fleet utilizing pickup trucks, box trucks, tow trucks, bucket trucks, ambulances, shuttle busses, dump trucks, garbage trucks, cement trucks, and tractor-trailers.  

What is an interesting fact about your business most people do not know? 

Shortly after our Wilmington shop was up and running, we were given an opportunity to provide on-site service for a nationwide tree service company. This venture required coordinating the activity of 20 technicians servicing 16,000 vehicles at locations across 48 states.  

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business?   

When I started with Rock Maintenance, our marketing efforts consisted solely of cold calls, email, and in-person prospecting. Using the internet and my own eyes, I created lists of businesses in the area to research and reach out to. At every available opportunity, I would strike up conversations with drivers, managers, or business owners and hand out my business card. After gaining some valuable insight from other chamber members, we have been exploring and implementing methods to improve our online presence, including social media, pay per click advertising, and search engine optimization.   

How do the economic and political environments impact your business during COVID-19? 

As a business that is considered essential, we were allowed to continue to operate during COVID-19. We had a few tough weeks in the beginning, as some of our customers either shut down their operation altogether or had to scale back. Fortunately, the workload for many outdoor contractors started to pick up at the time.    

What motivated Rock Maintenance to become a Chamber member? How long have you been a Chamber member? 
In March of 2019, we decided it was time to increase our customer list. Since our initial customers came to us through personal connections established throughout our careers, we joined the New Castle Chamber of Commerce to expand our network.       

What aspect of the chamber have you taken advantage of the most? 

Without a doubt, networking. Not only has it led to potential customers and referral partners but helpful resources. We recently submitted a successful bid with the DelDOT thanks to contacts and resources made available from NCCCC.   

How has the chamber helped your business?  

The chamber has helped our business by allowing us to become an active and connected member of the local business community. Before joining the chamber, we were relatively isolated. Now we are more informed about events and developments that may affect us and other businesses around us.  

What motivates you

My biggest motivations are my family, pride in my business and reputation, and passion for what I do. It also helps that I thrive on the challenge that comes with setting far-reaching goals for myself.  

When you are not working, where do you like to spend your time? 

When I am not working, you will most likely find me at the nearest Home Depot, casino, car show, or home with my family. 

What advice would you give a new (or current) chamber members? 

Attend as many networking events that you can. You never know who you will meet or what information you can gain.